Too much bad news. That’s what callers to a radio show were saying this morning, that the media’s constant reinforcement of bad news makes the struggling economy a self-fulfilling prophecy. But with the daily news of mass layoffs, business failures and escalating unemployment, how do we put a positive spin on the news?
Quite simply---invert the numbers:
Oregon unemployment has risen to 9%? Then let the headline be:
Oregon employment continues to hover at 91%
A major manufacturer lays off 5% of their workforce?
Major manufacturer continues to employee 95% of staff
Down Jones drops 2%?
Dow Jones industrial average retains 98% of value
See? The “facts” are the same, but a steady flurry of numbers above the 90th percentile offers a more reassuring backdrop to our economic concerns. In fact, it doesn’t have to stop with economic news:
Mayor Adams lies about relationship with 18 year old man?
Sam Adams tells truth about more than 99% of his relationships.
Well, okay, that sounds weird. Maybe it should stop with economic news.
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